Europe’s environmental regulations are about to reshape global ocean freight costs yet again. Beginning January 1, 2026,carriers operating on European trade lanes will face steep increases in emissions-related surcharges — many exceeding 50%— as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) enters a more demanding compliance phase.
This next step in the ETS rollout raises carbon accountability from 70% of emissions in 2025 to 100% in 2026,significantly altering carrier cost structures and, ultimately, shipper budgets.
For supply chain leaders, the question is no longer whether sustainability regulations will impact freight costs — but how fast those costs will rise and how to mitigate them.
Under the EU’s “cap-and-trade” carbon system, carriers must purchase emissions allowances (EUAs) to cover their carbon output. Average EUA prices reached €76.75 ($89.13)in the three months to Nov. 15, according to Maersk.
At the same time, compliance with FuelEU Maritime, which requires carriers to gradually reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of fuels, is becoming more expensive due to rising biofuel prices and lower fossil fuel prices.
Together, these dynamics are driving significantly higher surcharges across all EU-connected trade lanes.
Maersk will lift its Q1 2026 emissions surcharge across all EU-related trade lanes, including:
The carrier expects a 45% rise in its EU ETS surcharge beginning Jan. 1.
CMA CGM anticipates a 43% increase.
Example: Shanghai → Rotterdam surcharge will rise by nearly$50, reaching $168 per FEU.
ONE has published new Europe Environmental Surcharge (EES)levels effective Jan. 1:
Additionally, bookings from China (excluding Hong Kong)and Taiwan will now automatically incorporate ETS costs directly into freight rates. ONE noted that “the EES portion will be incorporated and considered as part of freight.”
Shippers moving cargo in and out of Europe — particularly from Asia, the Mediterranean, and North America — should expect immediate cost inflation starting Q1 2026.
Because ETS and FuelEU impacts differ by fleet composition, speed, routing, and fuel strategy, freight rates will diverge more sharply between carriers.
Carriers are using this moment to promote premium low-emission products such as:
These products leverage a mass balance approach and can materially reduce carbon footprints — but they come at a higher cost.
With both carbon costs and fuel regulation costs rising simultaneously, logistics teams will need tighter forecasting, scenario planning, and procurement discipline.
Surcharge increases of 40–50%+ could rebalance the economics of certain markets or SKUs.
Lower-emission services may offer operational or compliance value for sustainability-driven shippers.
Carbon-linked surcharges are becoming a standard feature of global freight — treat them as a strategic cost center, not apass-through.
As regulation rises, data transparency and real-time scenario planning are becoming mission-critical.
This is where Worldtop& Meta supports clients with proactive emissions cost analysis, transparent rate benchmarking, and trade-lane optimization.
Source:https://www.joc.com/article/ocean-carriers-unveil-hefty-increases-in-europe-emissions-surcharges-6126958
